A Christmas Miracle: Variations on A Clause

Somehow, over the past two hundred years, not only did the very large elf obtain a height of more than six feet, but he underwent a name change to the new, non-ecclesiastic 'Santa Claus.'

I did not question how Santa Claus was presented, other than the surreal way his mirror image repeatedly manifested in the physical world in dozens of locations prior to Christmas Eve, after which the matter was laid to rest for another year.

I never stopped believing in Santa Claus, even when there was mounting evidence that 'the Clause' was a pure fiction. I was bolstered somewhat by the original version of Miracle on 34th Street, where the presence of Santa Claus was evident in the form of a senior's cane propped up against the corner of a large vacant home.

Sometimes, like select individuals of many religious traditions, the spirit of the generous elf manifests through them, even when these select individuals are totally unaware. Such was the case a number of years ago.

I was once again living with my mom and had taken up residence in the narrow loft of her two-stall garage. Mom was renting out the unused bedrooms of the three-bedroom house she had inherited with her divorce, making extra money from students and guest professors attending the nearby campus of the University of California. So she didn't miss my physical presence and did not shoo me away for establishing an illegal studio in the garage…its bathroom a questionable improvisation.

The day before Christmas Eve one of our guests, Milton, had graduated from his medical studies and arranged to take a flight out of Los Angeles International Airport. I offered him a ride to L.A.X. in Mom’s Buick. Milton and I found our way through the terminal, then waiting in the lounge, watched passengers who had just flown in coming down a carpeted ramp. Two of them caught my eye immediately. One was a rotund man about five feet high, with an enormous white beard and just as brilliant white hair…it was Santa Claus, accompanied by a six-foot tall 'elf'!

I ignored the fact both men were wearing suits and ties. I rushed over to the Santa Claus man and explained succinctly my situation: I needed a heater for my illegal studio. The Santa Claus man, who had made eye contact, listened to what I said, then smiled and nodded his head knowingly as he continued on his way.

Within twenty-four hours, two people brought me heaters. I gave mom one of the heaters and kept one, using it every day for the remainder of the time I lived in the garage.

It was a Christmas miracle.